For today, links to reports from Reuters, Agence France-Presse, Tass, the Kyiv Post, the Kyiv Independent, and the Associated Press, followed by commentary from Indian Punchline; other articles are accessible by clicking on their names or initials below. (The GAZA entry for this date is HERE.) — MCM
– – –
Death toll in Russian strike in east Ukraine town up to 3. From Reuters. Rescuers cleared rubble today from a Russian strike Wednesday on a residential building in the eastern Ukrainian town of Selydove, and one more body was recovered, taking the death toll to three, an emergency service said. One person is believed to be trapped under the rubble, the spokesperson for a rescue service was quoted as . . . READ MORE . . .
– – –
Russia steps up attacks on east Ukraine’s Avdiivka – mayor. From AFP. Russia has stepped up attacks on Ukraine’s shattered eastern frontline town of Avdiivka, its mayor said today. The industrial town near the Russian-held regional stronghold of Donetsk has been . . . READ MORE . . .
– – –
Russian combat aircraft down Ukrainian MiG-29 warplane in DPR over past day. From Tass. MOSCOW — Russian combat aircraft shot down a Ukrainian MiG-29 fighter jet in the Donetsk People’s Republic over the past day in the special military operation in Ukraine, Russia’s Defense Ministry said today. Also . . . READ MORE . . .
– – –
Russian army in Ukraine is double its size on the eve of invasion and likely will state that way — report, by Stefan Korshak | Kyiv Post A leading Ukrainian military observer said today the Russian army in Ukraine right now is more than double the size of the force that invaded almost two years ago, and the Kremlin . . . READ MORE . . .
– – –
Russia admits Ukrainian troops operate on Dnipro River’s occupied east bank. From the Kyiv Independent. The Russia-installed head of the occupied parts of Kherson Oblast admitted on Wednesday that Ukrainian soldiers established positions on Dnipro River’s east bank. READ MORE . . .
– – –
A record Russian budget will boost defense spending, shoring up Putin’s support ahead of election, by Emma Burrows | AP LONDON — Russia’s State Duma took a step forward Wednesday towards approving its biggest-ever federal budget which will increase spending by around 25% in 2024, with record amounts going on defense. Defense spending is expected to . . . READ MORE . . .
– – –
Don’t plan yet for Ukraine reconstruction, by M.K. Bhadrakumar | Indian Punchline At the recent meeting of the foreign and defence ministers of the U.S. and India in New Delhi in the 2+2 format, the two countries “concurred on the need for post-conflict reconstruction” in Ukraine. It is an assertion that is out of sync with ground realities. The Indians and Americans are whistling in the dark. Going forward, in fact, a whole new phase of Russia’s special military operations is to be expected and . . . READ MORE . . .